Results 1-20 of 45,676 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach. This is my first opportunity to address the new Seanad since the election. I hope to maintain the same constructive relationship with Seanad Éireann that I had with it during my terms as Minister for Health and Children and Minister for Education and Science in the previous Dáil.

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Micheál Martin: The Department would have given Senator Feighan a copy for no charge.

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Micheál Martin: That is fair.

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Micheál Martin: I would not have thought that was intended.

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Micheál Martin: There would have been at the time.

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Micheál Martin: We have discontinued that.

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Senators who contributed to this important debate on the Lindsay tribunal's report on what has been a most traumatic and appalling event in the history of Irish health care and for the haemophiliac community. The tribunal has had a deep impact on the public consciousness. I am aware the report has generated much disappointment and anger but what will live in the memories of many...

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Micheál Martin: I share the views of some who believe we should opt for a more permanent type of statutory based investigation forum or whatever to investigate issues that require investigation as they arise from time to time in the public arena. We should remember also that every time we set up a tribunal, it is an indictment of existing agencies set up to investigate matters in the tax, criminal or health...

Seanad: Lindsay Tribunal Report: Motion. (13 Nov 2002)

Micheál Martin: I articulated the point on a radio programme yesterday that it is almost a case of wanting to know the end result of a tribunal before it has reached its conclusions and if we do not agree with them, there is something wrong with it. That is not to take in any way from some of the genuine critique that has been articulated in the House but it is something about which we must be careful. We...

Seanad: Opticians (Amendment) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (11 Feb 2003)

Micheál Martin: Is pribhléid dom bheith anseo chun an Bhille seo a chur os comhair an Tí. The Bill I am bringing before the Seanad today seeks to modernise the Opticians Act 1956, as there have been no substantive amendments to that Act since its provisions came into force in 1959. During our deliberations, one of my Department officials remarked that this Bill has been awaited for 30 years. There is now a...

Seanad: Opticians (Amendment) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (11 Feb 2003)

Micheál Martin: I will propose an amendment to delete the words "or treatment of the eye".

Seanad: Opticians (Amendment) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (11 Feb 2003)

Micheál Martin: I made the EU reference in the context of the deregulation of ready-made readers.

Seanad: Opticians (Amendment) Bill 2002: Second Stage. (11 Feb 2003)

Micheál Martin: I thank all the Senators who contributed and welcome their broad support for the legislation. We will deal with some of the points raised in more detail on Committee Stage. Senator Feighan welcomed the Bill, although he did suggest that section 12 was perhaps too restrictive. It is designed to achieve a balance by facilitating optometrists in terms of being able to examine for specific...

Seanad: Cancer Screening Programme: Motion. (19 Feb 2003)

Micheál Martin: Was that promise made?

Seanad: Cancer Screening Programme: Motion. (19 Feb 2003)

Micheál Martin: In the last one?

Seanad: Cancer Screening Programme: Motion. (19 Feb 2003)

Micheál Martin: I appreciate the opportunity to speak to the House on this important issue. I have listened very carefully to the views of Senators in relation to the extension of the BreastCheck screening programme. I hope to deal with some of the issues they have raised. I have no disagreement with the essential tenet of what is being said in relation to the need for an extension of the breast screening...

Seanad: Opticians (Amendment) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (25 Feb 2003)

Micheál Martin: The Bill, as drafted, amends sections 24, 25, 33 and 34 of the Principal Act to bring their provisions clearly into line with the European Union directives on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. These directives were transposed into Irish law by Statutory Instrument No. 1 of 1991 and Statutory Instrument No. 135 of 1996. Sections 6 and 9 of the Bill provide for the...

Seanad: Opticians (Amendment) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (25 Feb 2003)

Micheál Martin: The same provision applies to Members of the Oireachtas. It appears to be an age-old provision. We are amending the Act to keep in line with EU Council directives on mutual recognition of professions across member states. My understanding of the term "has not been declared bankrupt" is that the person concerned is not bankrupt. I will revert to the Senator with further advice on the matter...

Seanad: Opticians (Amendment) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (25 Feb 2003)

Micheál Martin: I do not, thank God.

Seanad: Opticians (Amendment) Bill 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages. (25 Feb 2003)

Micheál Martin: Historically, the phrase has been used in the context of criminal bankruptcy. However, we added Deputies and Senators to the list, in terms of eligibility for membership of outside bodies. In that regard, many Acts contain a standard provision referring to criminal bankruptcy and membership of the Oireachtas almost in the same sentence. The Senator may have a point in the generality of the...